We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Naticia Logan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Naticia below.

Naticia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I LOVE being a business owner! I love the personal relationships we develop with our customers and getting to see our personal investments of time and energy pay off . Every moment spent on the business has value and meaning. Every detail and personal touch is a reflection of who we are and what we value.

Naticia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a long time Colorado native who values hard work, being outdoors and connecting with nature. I was an outdoor guide for many years, and I love introducing people to new experiences and exciting adventures.

Last year my husband and I and our close family friends started a llama packing as a way to combine many of the things we love and value. We get to work with incredible people and amazing animals. We get work together outside. We explore new areas and have the opportunity to introduce people to the backcountry in a whole new exiting way. We love adventure!

Llamas make excellent hiking companions, they are strong and sure footed, have minimal impact on the environment and can carry heavy loads over challenging terrain for long distances. We also rent llamas for birthday parties, weddings and special events. Llamas are up for just about anything!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Purchasing this business was like jumping head first into unknown waters. As we were starting the llama packing business, we did our homework; we reached out to other businesses, we watched videos, took courses, read books and forums. However, no matter how much prep-work we did, nothing could have prepared us for this business better than personal experience.

Our true knowledge came from dozens of trips, many miles and many days in the backcountry. It took working with each llama while taking detailed notes on their behavior. We experimented with different teams of llamas, different pack set-ups, and various terrain, weights and distances. It took extensive amount of hands-on experience to know HOW to prepares our customers for a successful backcountry experience.

Not only have we changed what we teach our customers, but how we teach and how we advertise our business. All of our customers are required to take a llama packing course prior to rental. We have learned that not one size fits all. It is important to all of us at Fossil Ridge Pack Llamas that both our customers and our llamas have a positive experience. The true knowledge we share had to come from the doing, the undoing and the doing again.

Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.

This is the first and only business I have ever acquired. The opportunity came at a time in life that was too good to say no. My husband and I just purchased a piece of land and wanted to start a small farm or animal sanctuary. I wanted to work close to home and get back into guiding and working in life’s greatest office, the outdoors. When a llama packing business came for sale, it checked all the boxes. Not only was the opportunity there, we have a few good friends who weren’t about to let us do it alone. Our two friends wanted to support us in this venture, and offered to become our business partners. We couldn’t say no.

Once the decision was made, we were off buying hay, building fence and raising a barn. 4 short weeks later, we moved 16 llamas onto our property and spent the winter getting to know them and letting them get to know us. The business side has been a learning curve, but I think we are getting the hang of it. We are excited to have our first season almost to completion so we can start planning for next year.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fossilridgepackllamas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fossilridge_packllamas/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Fossil-Ridge-Pack-Llamas/61554132544026/

Image Credits

Colt Maule